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My daughter is sixteen and suffers from acne. She is seen by a dermatologist that I both like and respect. The dermatologist wants to treat her with accutane. He went through a lengthy disclosure with us and discussed side effects. The doctor compared patients in his clinical experience with what the disclosure said. The point that he impressed on us was that this drug is remarkably effective against acne. What got my attention about this is that no one in my family has ever had a prescription that required such a lengthy disclosure. Most of the side effects he was concerned about were to a fetus if my daughter had been pregnant. Apparently, two pregnancy tests are required before the medication can be given. One was given during this visit. The next occurs in a month when she returns.
A few questions:
1. Has anyone here taken accutane for acne and what were your experiences?
2. Did you have any significant side effects beyond a dry mouth, lips, and skin?
3. Do you have an adolescent you have allowed to go on accutane? What were their experiences?
4. Do you recommend accutane or not based on those experiences?
5. Did another medication work better for you or your child?
I've done some reading about this medicine. However, I'd really like to hear about some experiences.
Our younger son had bad acne. We tried over-the-counter medications and then something that was prescribed - I forget what - before Accutane. It really was remarkable. He had the very cracked lips, but the acne disappeared over a period of several weeks. And it stayed gone. This was about three years ago (he's now 17, turning 18 next month). And it's never reappeared.
We certainly had some hesitations about the drug. But it's also difficult watching a kid go off to middle school every day with such bad skin problems (and that's about the worst age for it, I think). But, yeah, the word 'remarkable' certainly comports with our experience.
Side note - the pricing was all over the place. At the time, I paid for my medications and then filed for reimbursement from insurance. One months, the cost was almost $800. The next month if was half that. Very variable. I don't know, I only had that file-myself insurance for about a year - maybe that's how medications go. But I thought it odd.
Accutane has caused suicide in a percentage of patients.
It has caused longterm clinical depression in even more patients.
I wouldn't risk it.
Having terrible acne that can't be treated/cured via any other method causes depression and worse as well, especially if it affects your face. I have bipolar disorder and had terrible facial acne as well as acne on my face. I was embarrassed and felt very self conscious about the way I looked every time I walked out the door. I informed my dermatologist and my psychiatrist that I wanted to take Accutane.
My psychiatrist gave me the go-ahead, but made me come in to see her more often to monitor my medication and moods. I had no problems at all, nor do the majority of patients who take Accutane. And it is so effective in improving a patient's mental health long term by making them feel happier, more self confident, and boosting their self esteem that the treatment is worth the increased short term risk, IMO. The risk increase is very small unless the patient is already being treated for mental illness; in that case, careful monitoring is key.
Personally, I would try the elimination route first before submitting to Accutane. There are most certainly people out there who can't digest or assimilate certain foods, which causes problems with the skin. Gluten and dairy being the first ones that come to mind, as others have mentioned. There are digestive enzymes for sale that can help people with intolerances should the person not want to give up said foods. Though it should be noted that some people who are "gluten intolerant" may actually just be glyphosate intolerant, and switching to organic foods may relieve the symptoms. Conventional dairy (and meat) products can also cause problems because of the growth hormones and excessive antibiotics. This may present as lactose intolerance, but can possibly be handled just by switching to organic dairy (preferably raw, IMO). Some people need to stick with goat's milk, since it's more easily assimilated by them than cow's milk.
I would also eliminate pretty much every single personal-care product from my house and go with natural cleaning products and homemade personal-care products. Conventional products contain thousands of untested chemicals and some of them may cause skin problems. My teenage son's acne has gone way down now that we clean his face with only oil (and lately just water). We also use a carbon/charcoal filter on the shower head. The natural oils in your skin will overproduce to compensate for over-cleansing with harsh chemicals and soaps. I save the natural soaps for really dirty/stinky/sweaty areas of the body (armpits, feet, privates).
You really have nothing to lose by trying elimination. It may take a while, but it's doable.
If the problem is pathogenic-related, you can use things like colloidal silver and apple cider vinegar (diluted). Aloe is very healing to the skin, as well. The first two can be spritzed on the face several times a day, as needed; the aloe can be applied at bedtime and any other time the opportunity arises. I would avoid makeup application since that can interfere with treatment, and can also be a reason for acne.
I should add that if you want instant results, you may want to stick with the pharma meds and lots of foundation makeup. Going natural means undoing all the chemicals and drugs and toxins in the world that have been accumulating all of one's life, and it can't be undone overnight.
Having terrible acne that can't be treated/cured via any other method causes depression and worse as well, especially if it affects your face. I have bipolar disorder and had terrible facial acne as well as acne on my face. I was embarrassed and felt very self conscious about the way I looked every time I walked out the door. I informed my dermatologist and my psychiatrist that I wanted to take Accutane.
My psychiatrist gave me the go-ahead, but made me come in to see her more often to monitor my medication and moods. I had no problems at all, nor do the majority of patients who take Accutane. And it is so effective in improving a patient's mental health long term by making them feel happier, more self confident, and boosting their self esteem that the treatment is worth the increased short term risk, IMO. The risk increase is very small unless the patient is already being treated for mental illness; in that case, careful monitoring is key.
Okay, let me make this clear:
Terrible acne does NOT cause "depression".
Illnesses and disfigurement and loss can cause SADNESS or embarrassment, or many other normal feelings, but this is not the same as clinical depression.
I know, because I had terrible acne for years and was upset about it.
However, I NEVER had clinical depression until I took Accutane almost 30 years ago (and have struggled with clinical depression ever since).
As someone with bipolar disorder, depression, or anyone even WITH A FAMILY HISTORY of mental health problems (giving you a genetic predisposition/vulnerability to mental illness), I think it's very risky to take Accutane.
Yes, I was "happy" that my skin cleared up with Accutane.
But...I was clinically depressed! (and have been on and off since).
Clinical depression is a chemical change in the body, that can be triggered by an environmental loss/change, but often is really a medical illness - in this case it can be triggered by Accutane.
A certain percentage of people who have taken Accutane have committed suicide.
Illnesses and disfigurement and loss can cause SADNESS or embarrassment, or many other normal feelings, but this is not the same as clinical depression.
I know, because I had terrible acne for years and was upset about it.
However, I NEVER had clinical depression until I took Accutane almost 30 years ago (and have struggled with clinical depression ever since).
As someone with bipolar disorder, depression, or anyone even WITH A FAMILY HISTORY of mental health problems (giving you a genetic predisposition/vulnerability to mental illness), I think it's very risky to take Accutane.
Yes, I was "happy" that my skin cleared up with Accutane.
But...I was clinically depressed! (and have been on and off since).
Clinical depression is a chemical change in the body, that can be triggered by an environmental loss/change, but often is really a medical illness - in this case it can be triggered by Accutane.
A certain percentage of people who have taken Accutane have committed suicide.
Think very carefully before you take this drug.
Look, just because YOU had acne and have a history of depression doesn't make you an expert on all the causes
Acne ABSOLUTELY can lead depression...
"The connection between acne and depression has long been documented, especially in teens, but some attributed it to particular medications for acne such as isotretinoin (sold as Accutane, Clarus and others). But a recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the drug itself may not matter; according to Swedish researchers, acne itself raises the risk of depression and suicide attempt. How acne and depression feed each other - CNN.com
Whether Accutane is truly responsible for depression is less clear and controversial...it is looking more like the depression risks previously attributed to accutane are in fact more likely related to the acne itself
The link between acne and depression? No controversy whatsoever and very clear connection
You say you still struggle with depression and it has been 30 years since you took Accutane and you still think the Accutane was to blame? 30 years later? That's not even possible
Accutane has caused suicide in a percentage of patients.
It has caused longterm clinical depression in even more patients.
I wouldn't risk it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks
Having terrible acne that can't be treated/cured via any other method causes depression and worse as well, especially if it affects your face. I have bipolar disorder and had terrible facial acne as well as acne on my face. I was embarrassed and felt very self conscious about the way I looked every time I walked out the door. I informed my dermatologist and my psychiatrist that I wanted to take Accutane.
My psychiatrist gave me the go-ahead, but made me come in to see her more often to monitor my medication and moods. I had no problems at all, nor do the majority of patients who take Accutane. And it is so effective in improving a patient's mental health long term by making them feel happier, more self confident, and boosting their self esteem that the treatment is worth the increased short term risk, IMO. The risk increase is very small unless the patient is already being treated for mental illness; in that case, careful monitoring is key.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shoshanarose
Okay, let me make this clear:
Terrible acne does NOT cause "depression".
Illnesses and disfigurement and loss can cause SADNESS or embarrassment, or many other normal feelings, but this is not the same as clinical depression.
I know, because I had terrible acne for years and was upset about it.
However, I NEVER had clinical depression until I took Accutane almost 30 years ago (and have struggled with clinical depression ever since).
As someone with bipolar disorder, depression, or anyone even WITH A FAMILY HISTORY of mental health problems (giving you a genetic predisposition/vulnerability to mental illness), I think it's very risky to take Accutane.
Yes, I was "happy" that my skin cleared up with Accutane.
But...I was clinically depressed! (and have been on and off since).
Clinical depression is a chemical change in the body, that can be triggered by an environmental loss/change, but often is really a medical illness - in this case it can be triggered by Accutane.
A certain percentage of people who have taken Accutane have committed suicide.
Think very carefully before you take this drug.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluedevilz
Look, just because YOU had acne and have a history of depression doesn't make you an expert on all the causes
Acne ABSOLUTELY can lead depression...
"The connection between acne and depression has long been documented, especially in teens, but some attributed it to particular medications for acne such as isotretinoin (sold as Accutane, Clarus and others). But a recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the drug itself may not matter; according to Swedish researchers, acne itself raises the risk of depression and suicide attempt. How acne and depression feed each other - CNN.com
Whether Accutane is truly responsible for depression is less clear and controversial...it is looking more like the depression risks previously attributed to accutane are in fact more likely related to the acne itself
The link between acne and depression? No controversy whatsoever and very clear connection
You say you still struggle with depression and it has been 30 years since you took Accutane and you still think the Accutane was to blame? 30 years later? That's not even possible
Exactly. There are many possible reasons Shoshana is depressed; a few months of Accutane treatment way back in the 1980s isn't one of them.
I had terrible acne in high school (I'm 27 now-male) and saw a dermitologist multiple times for treatments. We used a couple of different topical creams but nothing ended up working till we did accutane.
I gotta say, I was skeptical at first but man did that stuff work. It did dry out my skin, lips and even my eyes felt dry at times but my cystic acne never came back afterwards. Now Occasionally I've still gotten smaller acne cysts or little bits of acne here and there but NOTHING like my acne was back in high school. Honestly I don't know what I would have done without the accutane. I know they are much more stringent about testing and monitoring women because of birth defects and pregnancy and I remember having my blood tested monthly but otherwise I've had no adverse effects. I actually remember the doctors telling me about the possibility of depression or even suicidal thoughts while being the on medication but I experienced the opposite as I started actually feeling much better about my skin/complexion because the acne was actually going away!
I've also grown up with friends/family that have sung the praises of being gluten free and how it will help your skin. I do think eliminating gluten and most processed foods/sugars really will help your skin and body, but I'm not completely convinced it would have cured my acne (or many peoples cystic acne). So all that to say, my experience with accutane was smooth and I would do it again in a heartbeat if I needed to.
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